U.S. patent application number 12/241017 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for vegf receptor fusion proteins, their pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic applications for the eye diseases.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHENGDU KANGHONG BIOTECHNOLOGIES, CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Michael Dechao Yu.
Application Number | 20090264358 12/241017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37736587 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090264358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yu; Michael Dechao |
October 22, 2009 |
VEGF RECEPTOR FUSION PROTEINS, THEIR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS
AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE EYE DISEASES
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor fusion
protein comprising Ig domain 2 of Flt-1 and Ig domains 3, or Ig
domain 2 of Flt-1 and Ig domain 3 and 4 of KDR, the gene encoding
the fusion protein, the pharmaceutical composition containing the
fusion protein and the pharmaceutical use of the fusion protein are
provided. The fusion protein can be used for treatment of eye
disorders involving angiogenesis such as diabetic retinopathy.
Inventors: |
Yu; Michael Dechao; (Chengdu
City, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
P.O. Box 55874
Boston
MA
02205
US
|
Assignee: |
CHENGDU KANGHONG BIOTECHNOLOGIES,
CO., LTD
Chengdu City
CN
|
Family ID: |
37736587 |
Appl. No.: |
12/241017 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/CN2007/001021 |
Mar 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
12241017 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
514/1.1 ;
435/320.1; 435/69.7; 530/350; 536/23.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 27/02 20180101;
A61K 38/00 20130101; C07K 2319/30 20130101; A61P 9/00 20180101;
C07K 14/71 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/12 ; 530/350;
536/23.4; 435/320.1; 435/69.7 |
International
Class: |
A61K 38/16 20060101
A61K038/16; C07K 19/00 20060101 C07K019/00; C07H 21/00 20060101
C07H021/00; C12N 15/63 20060101 C12N015/63; C12P 21/02 20060101
C12P021/02; A61P 27/02 20060101 A61P027/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2006 |
CN |
200610066257.2 |
Claims
1. A VEGF receptor fusion protein selected from FP7 and FP8 having
the amino acid sequences as shown in SEQ ID No. 2 and 4,
respectively.
2. An isolated nucleotide sequence encoding the VEGF receptor
fusion protein FP7 or FP8, having the DNA sequences as shown in SEQ
ID No. 1 or 3, respectively.
3. An expression vector comprising the gene encoding the VEGF
receptor fusion proteins FP7 or FP8 of claim 2.
4. A method for preparing the VEGF receptor fusion protein FP7 or
FP8 of claim 1, comprising the steps of: amplifying the Flt-1 and
KDR genes; obtaining the Flt-1 and KDR fragments by restriction
enzyme digestion of the resulting genes; ligating the 2.sup.nd
Ig-like domain of FLT-1 and the 3.sup.rd and 4.sup.th Ig-like
domains of KDR, or ligating the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of FLT-1
and the 3.sup.rd Ig-like domain of KDR; constructing a expression
vector of the fused gene; and transforming the vector into host
cells to produce the fusion proteins.
5. A pharmaceutical composition used to treat eye diseases caused
by abnormal angiogenesis, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprises one or both of the VEGF receptor fusion proteins FP7 and
FP8 having the amino acid sequences as shown in SEQ ID No. 2 and 4,
respectively, in a pharmaceutically effective amount and optionally
one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
6. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are any one or combination of
water, mannitol, glycerol, ethanol, polysorbate, and glucose.
7. A method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a
VEGF receptor fusion protein for treating an angiogenesis related
eye disease, comprising combining one or both of FP7 and FP8 with
one or more fusion proteins selected from FP1, FP2, FP3, FP4, FP5,
and FP6, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the angiogenesis related eye
disease is AMD, diabetic retinopathy, cystoid macular edema,
diabetic macular edema, retinal vascular occlusion,
angiogenesis-related therapy failure such as laser coagulation, or
surgical retinal transplantation.
9. A method for treating an angiogenesis related eye disease,
characterized by administration to a patient in need thereof one or
both of FP7 and FP8 in combination with one or more additional VEGF
receptor fusion proteins selected from the group consisting of FP1,
FP2, FP3, FP4, FP5 and FP6.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the angiogenesis
related eye disease is selected from the group consisting of AMD,
diabetic retinopathy, cystoid macular edema, diabetic macular
edema, retinal vascular occlusion, angiogenesis-related therapy
failure, and surgical retinal transplantation.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS/PATENTS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/CN2007/001021, filed Mar. 29, 2007, which
claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Number
200610066257.2, filed Mar. 31, 2006, the entire contents each of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The foregoing applications, and all documents cited therein
and all documents cited or referenced therein, and all documents
cited or referenced herein, including any U.S. or foreign patents
or published patent applications, International patent
applications, as well as, any non-patent literature references and
any manufacturer's instructions, are hereby expressly incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to VEGF receptor fusion
proteins, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and
related therapeutic applications for various eye diseases caused by
angiogenesis.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0004] Retinal vessels and chorodial vessels are the essential
components of the retina. Abnormal changes in the vessel wall
structure and function of the blood vessels caused by traumas and
diseases are the main factors that lead to a hypopsia and visual
loss. For example, diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by
diabetes mellitus that result in hyperplasia in retinal vessels and
detachment of the retina thereafter, is the main factor that leads
to the visual loss. The retinal neovascularization might also occur
during recovery from an eye injury or surgery. This kind of
hyperplasia in retinal vessels is also a key factor that leads to a
hypopsia or visual loss (Nature 438: 932-938, 2005).
[0005] The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease
caused by the cells or tissue degradation and vascular
proliferation occurred in the center area of the retina. It may be
classified into the wet form (exudative form) and the dry form. The
wet AMD is most commonly caused by choroidal neovascularization and
is also the main factor that leads to visual loss.
[0006] Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is a protein
that specifically mediates angiogenesis (Am. J. Pathol. 167:
1451-1459, 2005). VEGF stimulates division and proliferation of the
endothelial cells, induces onset of neovascularization, and
provides oxygen and nutrition to the tissue cells. Many studies
have shown that once photoreceptor cells of the retina start to
degenerate (ischemic atrophy) because of lack of nutrition, the
concentration of VEGF in the retina starts to increase to promote
the neovascularization. This process is called angiogenesis. In the
eyes, the newly generated blood vessel is different from the normal
blood vessel in morphology, the vessel lumen is irregular and the
tube wall is often leaky. This kind of abnormal growth of the
highly permeable or leaky blood vessels often results in scars in
the retina, and even detachment, which in turn affects the
eyesight.
[0007] Many studies have shown that the choroidal tissues of the
wet AMD patients exhibit high level of VEGF expressions (Invest.
Opthal. Vis. Sci 37: 855-868, 1996; Microvascular Res. 64: 162-169,
2002). Considering the correlation in between the level of VEGF
expressions and the wet AMD, VEGF can be used as a biochemical
indicator in the AMD diagnosis (Br. J. Opthalmol. 88: 809-815,
2004).
[0008] Some VEGF inhibitors can block the interactions between VEGF
and the VEGF receptors (fit-1, KDR, etc) on the endothelia cell,
and thus block the signal transduction mediated by VEGF and inhibit
angiogenesis caused by the high level expressions of VEGF, so as to
prevent and stop retinal hemorrhage. This kind of VEGF inhibitors
includes Macugen (pegaptanib sodium), Lucentis, VEGF-Trap, Avastin
(bevacizumab), and AdPEDF etc. Particularly, Macugen and Avastin
have been approved by US FDA and have come into the market.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] One aspect of the invention is to provide novel VEGF
inhibiting fusion proteins FP7 and FP8, whose amino acid sequences
are shown as SEQ ID No. 2 and 4.
[0010] FP7 consists of the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of FLT-1, and
the 3.sup.rd and the 4.sup.th Ig-like domains of KDR. FP8 consists
of the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of FLT-1 and the 3.sup.rd Ig-like
domain of KDR.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is to provide the genes that
encode the VEGF receptor fusion proteins FP7 and FP8, whose DNA
sequences are shown as SEQ ID No. 1 and 3.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention is to provide expression
vectors containing the aforementioned genes encoding the VEGF
receptor fusion proteins FP7 and FP8. The expression vectors could
be any common vectors in the field such as plasmid vector, phage,
virus etc.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method for
preparing VEGF inhibiting fusion proteins FP7 and FP8, which
includes gene amplification of Flt-1 and KDR, preparation of the
Flt-1 and KDR fragments by restriction enzyme digestion, ligation
of the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of Flt-1 and the 3.sup.rd and
4.sup.th Ig-like domain of KDR or ligation of the 2.sup.nd Ig-like
domain of Flt-1 and the 3.sup.rd Ig-like domain of KDR;
construction of a expression vector comprising the resulting
ligation product; and transfection of the vector into host cells to
produce the fusion proteins.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a
pharmaceutical composition for treating the angiogenesis related
eye diseases, which contains a pharmaceutically effective amount of
one or both FP7 or FP8 in combination with one or more of the VEGF
receptor fusion proteins FP1, FP2, FP3, FP4, FP5, or FP6, and
optionally one or more of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers,
particularly one or more carriers that commonly used for
ophthalmological therapeutics.
[0015] A further aspect of the invention is to provide use of VEGF
inhibiting fusion proteins in the treatment of angiogenesis related
eye diseases; wherein the aforementioned fusion proteins are the
recombinant receptor fusion proteins that can bind VEGF, more
specifically, said fusion proteins are any one or combination
selected from the group consisting of FP1, FP2, FP3, FP4, FP5, FP6
(which are described in the Chinese patent application No.
200510073595.4 "Anti-angiogenesis fusion proteins and applications
thereof" or in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/628,735, filed Dec. 7,
2006 and published as U.S. Publication No. 2008/0206238 on Aug. 28,
2008, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties) and FP7 and FP8 as described herein. Among them the
amino acid sequences of the fusion proteins FP1, FP2, FP3, FP4,
FP5, FP6 were disclosed in the aforementioned patent application
No. 200510073595.4 or in U.S. Ser. No. 11/628,735 (said
applications are incorporated into the present application by
reference in their entireties). FP1 consists of the 2.sup.nd
Ig-like domain of FLT-1, the 3.sup.rd Ig-like domain of KDR and
human immunoglobulin Fc; FP2 consists of the 1.sup.st Ig-like
domain of KDR, the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of FLT-1, the 3.sup.rd
Ig-like domain of KDR and human immunoglobulin Fc; FP3 consists of
the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of FLT-1, the 3.sup.rd and 4.sup.th
Ig-like domains of KDR and human immunoglobulin Fc; FP4 consists of
the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of FLT-1, the 3.sup.rd Ig-like domain
of KDR, the 4.sup.th Ig-like domain of FLT-1 and human
immunoglobulin Fc; FP5 consists of the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of
FLT-1, the 3.sup.rd-5.sup.th Ig-like domains of KDR and human
immunoglobulin Fc; FP6 consists of the 2.sup.nd Ig-like domain of
FLT-1, the 3.sup.rd Ig-like domain of KDR, the 4.sup.th-5.sup.th
Ig-like domains of FLT-1 and human immunoglobulin Fc. The amino
acid sequences of the fusion proteins FP7 and FP8 are shown as SEQ
ID No. 2 and 4 in the Sequence Listing. The aforementioned
angiogenesis related eye diseases include, but not limited to, AMD,
diabetic retinopathy, cystoid macular edema, diabetic macular
edema, retinal vascular occlusion, angiogenesis related therapy
failure such as laser coagulation, and surgical retinal
transplantation.
[0016] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method of
treatment comprising administrating a pharmaceutically effective
amount of FP3, FP7 and or FP8 to the patients in need thereof
[0017] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method for
treating an angiogenesis related eye disease by administrating any
one or combination selected from the group consisting of VEGF
receptor fusion proteins FP1, FP2, FP3, FP4, FP5, FP6, FP7 and FP8
to a patient suffered from said disease; wherein said eye disease
include, but not limited to, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, cystoid
macular edema, diabetic macular edema, retinal vascular occlusion,
angiogenesis related therapy failure such as laser coagulation,
surgical retinal transplantation.
[0018] The fusion proteins can be used in a pure form, or as their
solvates, or salts, or solvates of the salts. The fusion proteins
described in the present invention include all these forms.
[0019] The VEGF receptor fusion proteins FP1, FP2, FP3, FP4, FP5
and FP6 described in the present invention have been described in
the patent application No. CN200510073595.4 or in U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/628,735 (each of which are incorporated by reference in
their entireties), and can be prepared according to the method set
forth in the application, the incorporated by reference
applications, or other similar methods. FP7 and FP8 are novel
compounds, the preparation of which can be carried out by the
method similar to that described in the patent application No.
CN200510073595.4 or in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/628,735, and
has been described in detail in the following Example of the
present invention.
[0020] The recombinant protein of the present invention obtained by
gene recombination technique can be purified into pharmaceutical
grade, and then mixed with conventional pharmaceutical acceptable
carriers and/or other adjuvants depending on the requirements of
the desired formulation, and prepared as appropriate pharmaceutical
formulations according to common formulation methodologies. These
formulations can be used for intravenous administration,
intravitreal administration, intraperitoneal administration,
subcutaneous administration, topical ocular administration such as
eye drops; among other, preferred are solution formulation or
lyophilized formulation that can be hydrated into solution before
use.
[0021] In the formulations described in the present invention, the
concentration of the fusion proteins are between 0.01 mg/mL to 1000
mg/mL; the specific dosage depends on the form of the formulation,
clinical needs, etc. A general guideline suggests to administer 0.1
mg-3000 mg, preferably 1 mg-2000 mg each treatment, once per day,
or 2 days, or 3 days ,or 4 days, or 5 days, or 6 days, or a week,
or 2 weeks, or 3 weeks, or a month, or several times per day, e.g.
2-3 times per day.
[0022] The aforementioned pharmaceutical acceptable carriers can be
any carrier suitable in the form of formulations described in the
present invention, preferably one or more of the following: sodium
phosphate, sodium succinate, histidine, mannitol, trehalose
dehydrate, polysorbate 20, sodium chloride, sucrose, tromeramol,
cellulose, modified cellulose or lactose. The aforementioned
formulations can contain pH formulation buffers such as phosphate,
citrate, acetate, succinate, tromeramol (Tris), histidine or any
combination thereof, with concentrations of 0-100 mM, e.g., 1-100
mM, and pH ranging from 3-9; and can also contain osmoregulators
such as sodium chloride (concentration ranging from 0 to 200 mM,
e.g. 1-100 mM), dextrose (concentration ranging from 0% to 50%,
e.g. 1-30%); and can contain stabilizer such as amino acids,
glycerol, cyclodextrin, sucrose, trehalose dehydrate with
concentrations 0% -40%, preferably 1-30%; and can contain
preservatives such as thimerosal, sodium bisulfite, benzyl alcohol,
etc. In lyophilized formulations, excipients such as mannitol can
be included with concentration of 0% to 40%, preferably 0.1% to
10%; whereas in solution formulations, surfactants such as
polysorbate 20 or 80, SDS can be included with concentration of 0%
to 2%, preferably 0.01% to 1%. The formulations described in the
present invention can also contain preservatives, stabilizers,
solvents, cosolvents. Preferred solvents are water for injection,
organic solvents such as ethanol, glycerol, or other isoosmotic
solutions.
[0023] The present invention has surprisingly discovered that the
fusion proteins herein were efficacious in treating various
angiogenesis related eye diseases, such as AMD, diabetic
retinopathy, cystoid macular edema, diabetic macular edema, retinal
vascular occlusion, angiogenesis-related therapy failure such as
laser coagulation, surgical retinal transplantation, in addition to
great stability, safety, lack of side effect, and efficacy.
Experiments have demonstrated the benefits of the present
invention, with details shown in the following Examples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1: Schematic drawings of the 8 fusion proteins
described in the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2: Comparison of the VEGF binding affinities of the
fusion proteins;
[0026] FIG. 3: Effects of the fusion proteins on the retinal
angiogenesis caused by ischemic atrophy;
[0027] FIG. 4: Effect of the fusion proteins on choroidal
neovascularization.
BEST MODE CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0028] The following examples further elucidate the present
invention, but they should not be construed to limit the protection
scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
Construction of FP7
[0029] The fusion protein FP7 was constructed from the Flt-1 and
KDR gene fragments of cDNA obtained by amplifying with the mRNA
extracted from the HUVEC cells as template and the following
primers:
TABLE-US-00001 FLT-1 D2(F): 5'-cctttcgtagagatgtacagtga-3' (SEQ ID
NO. 5) FLT-1 D2(R): 5'-tatgattgtattggtttgtccat-3' (SEQ ID NO. 6)
KDR D3(F): 5'-gatgtggttctgagtccgtctca-3' (SEQ ID NO. 7) KDR
D3-4(R): 5'-cggtgggacatacacaaccaga-3' (SEQ ID NO. 8)
[0030] Specific conditions are PCR amplificaton 30 cycles of
denaturing at 95.degree. C. for 30 min, annealing at 56.degree. C.
for 45 sec, extension at 72.degree. C. for 2 min, to obtain the PCR
products of the Flt-1 and KDR Ig-like domains. The PCR products
were cloned into the PCR2.1 plasmid with the TA cloning kit,
followed by transformation into E. coli, picking out the white
colonies, and culturing in the LB media overnight. The plasmids
were extracted with the Qiagen plasmid purification kit, and then
subjected to restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing
confirmation. The cDNAs of the Flt-1 fragment, the KDR fragment and
the IgG hinge region were ligated together by Sewing PCR. The EcoRI
sites were introduced within the terminal primers. The PCR products
were purified with the Qiagen kit following the restriction enzyme
digestion with EcoRI, and then were cloned into the pcDNA3.1
plasmid. The recombinant plasmids were used to transform E. coli,
followed by picking out positive colonies and culturing in the LB
media overnight. The plasmids were extracted with the Qiagen kit
and subjected to restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing
confirmation. The confirmed plasmids were used to transfect CHO
cells, to obtain the cell lines to stably produce the fusion
protein FP7. The amino acid sequence of FP7 is shown as SEQ ID No.
3, and the DNA sequence of FP7 is shown as SEQ ID No.1. Part of the
hinge region was retained at the C terminal of the fusion
protein.
EXAMPLE 2
Construction of FP8
[0031] The fusion protein FP8 was PCR amplified with the FP7 as
template and primers flt-ID.sub.2(F): 5'-cctttcgtagagatgtacagtga-3'
(SEQ ID NO. 5) and KDR D3-hing(R). The DNA sequence of the latter
was
5'-aggtgctgggcacagtgggcatgtgtgagttttgtctttttcatggaccctgacaaatg-3'
(SEQ ID NO. 9). It contains the complementary sequence of the 3rd
Ig-like domain of KDR and partial sequence of the human IgG Fc
hinge. The conditions of PCR amplification and gene cloning were
the same as in the Example 1. At the end the PcDNA3.1 plasmids with
the cloned FP8 were used to transfect CHO cells, and stable cell
lines were obtained to produce the protein. The amino acid sequence
of FP8 is shown as SEQ ID No.4, and its DNA sequence is shown as
SEQ ID No.2.
EXAMPLE 3
Binding Affinity Experiments of the Fusion Proteins to VEGF
[0032] The present invention determined the affinity to VEGF of
various fusion proteins by measuring the amount of VEGF. In the
experiment, known amount of VEGF (10 PM) was added to a test tube,
and then into this the same volume of various fusion proteins
diluted to different degrees (as shown in FIG. 2) were added, and
upon mixing, incubated at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour. After 1 hour,
amount of the free VEGF in the tube was determined using a VEGF
assay kit (R&D systems). The assay results after analysis are
shown in the FIG. 2, which demonstrated FP1, FP3, FP7 and FP8 can
bind effectively to VEGF with affinity shown as IC50 of 11.2PM,
4.3PM, 4.1PM and 11.2PM, respectively. This experiment has proved
that FP3 and FP7 have similar in vitro affinity to VEGF, whereas
FP8 and FP 1 are similar but with lower affinity than the former
two. The VEGF affinities of FP1-FP6 have already been described in
the Example 3 of the Chinese patent application
CN200510073595.4.
[0033] This experiment has further demonstrated that the amino acid
sequence of the 4.sup.th Ig-like domain of KDR can enhance the
VEGF-binding capability of the fusion proteins.
EXAMPLE 4
Experiment Results of the Fusion Proteins Blocking Angiogenesis
Caused by Retinal Ischemic Atrophy
[0034] 7-day new born mice were placed in an incubator with high
oxygen partial pressure (75%.+-.2%), temperature controlled at
23.+-.2.degree. C., and under sunlight. After several days, no
neovascularization occurred at the center of the retina; after 5
more days, the young mice were returned back into an incubator with
normal oxygen partial pressure. Because of the hypoxia condition in
the mice retina caused by the relatively lower oxygen partial
pressure, angiogenesis growth was induced similar to those in
diabetic retinopathy and other retinal degeneration caused by
ischemic atrophy.
[0035] Using the models, 3 fusion proteins (FP1, FP3 and FP7) were
assayed for their inhibitory effects on angiogenesis related to
retinal ischemic atrophy.
[0036] After in an incubator with high oxygen partial pressure for
5 days, young mice were returned to a normal oxygen partial
pressure incubator. Young mice were divided into 5 groups with 10
each, and then after 1 day were administered intraperitoneally with
30 mg/kg of the fusion proteins, one injection per 2 days and 4
injections in total. Mice in the control group were injected with
the same amount of Fc proteins. After treatment, 6 mice from each
group were subjected to cardiac injection of fluorescent FAM. After
10 minutes, retinas of the young mice were taken to analyze the
angiogenesis growth. Under fluorescence microscope, retinas were
leveled and observed for angiogenesis and fluorescence leakage. For
the other 4 mice of each group, the eyes were taken and embedded
with paraffin, and then sliced and stained with H&E. Under
microscope, numbers of the vascular endothelial cell nucleus were
counted to analyze the effect of the fusion proteins on
angiogenesis (Investigative Ophthalomogy Visual Science 43,
1994-2000, 2002). The results are shown in the FIG. 3. The retinas
of the young mice receiving the injection of Fc proteins have shown
severe lesions. A lot of irregular vascular vessels can be observed
on the choroid membranes. The retinas of the young mice receiving
the injection of the fusion proteins have exhibited no obvious
angiogenesis (as shown in the FIG. 3). Among them, FP3 is the most
effective, and FP1 and FP7 were also effective, in which lack of
the Fc region probably has affected their stabilities in vivo.
[0037] In the meantime, we have tested the anti-angiogenesis
effects of these fusion proteins administered intravitreally. In
the same animal models, one day after returning to the normal
oxygen partial pressure incubator, each eye was subjected to
intravitreally injection of 0.5 .mu.g of the fusion protein, only
one treatment per animal. 7 days after treatment, retinas of the
animals were collected and treated as described above. The effects
of these fusion proteins on angiogenesis are shown in the FIG. 3.
The results have showed that these fusion proteins have exhibited
significant inhibition to angiogenesis after intravitreal
administration. Intravitreal injection has shown better efficacy
than intraperitoneal injection. In the meantime, we have observed
in these experiments that FP7 was similar to FP3, and both were
better than FP1. In this experiment, FP7 does not need to enter
blood circulation because of the intravitreal administration,
therefore its low stability in circulation did not affect its
efficacy.
EXAMPLE 5
Effects of the Fusion Proteins on Laser-Induced Choroidal
Neovascularization
[0038] According to published literature (American Journal
Pathology 153, 1641-1646, 1998), we have established in rats a AMD
model by laser-induced neovascularization in eyes. About 150 rats
were divided into 4 groups, among them, 10 rats in the control
group received subcutaneous injection of Fc proteins (20 mg/kg),
whereas 10 rats in each test group received subcutaneous injections
of 20 mg/kg FP1, FP3 and FP7 in total 5 times, at the day before
and 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after the laser treatment. At the 15.sup.th
day after the laser treatment, the rats received 50 mg of
fluorescence labeled dextran. After the eyes were taken out under
anesthesia treatment, choroids were immediately separated and
leveled or frozen to be sliced and then embedded with wax, in order
to analyze the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesions. As shown
in the FIG. 4, the results have showed that the CNV areas were
smaller in the rats receiving the fusion protein treatment than
those from the control group, among which the efficacy of FP3 was
better than that of FP1 or FP7. The inhibitory effects on the CNV
of FP7 and FP1 were similar.
EXAMPLE 6
Application of the Fusion Proteins in Treating Eye Diseases
[0039] These fusion proteins can be administered by appropriate
formulations such as intravitreal or intravenous injections to
treat various angiogenesis related eye diseases, including AMD,
diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and central retinal
vein occlusion. In the meantime, these fusion proteins can be
applied by combining with other therapies, such as photosensitizer
or laser therapy (photocoagulation) to reduce the risk of the
therapy failure caused by angiogenesis. These fusion proteins can
also be combined with surgery, for example, after retina
transplantation, the surgery could fail because of angiogenesis. If
receiving the treatment of these fusion proteins at the time of the
surgery, the patient could improve the success rate of the retina
transplantation. AMD patients could establish visual acuity
baselines after routine eye examinations, and then receive these
fusion proteins (e.g. FP3 or FP7) by intravitreal injection. After
treatment, the patients would receive observations and examinations
in a hospital to record the effects of these fusion proteins on
AMD. Typically, the examinations occur once at the 1.sup.st,
2.sup.nd, 6.sup.th, 14.sup.th, 30.sup.th, and 90.sup.th days after
treatment, respectively. In the meantime, the patients could
receive multiple treatments of each injection every 2 to 8 weeks.
Each injection dosage could range from 10 .mu.g to 5 mg per
eye.
[0040] From the clinical volunteers from the AMD, diabetic
retinopathy, diabetic macular edema patients, the fusion proteins
FP3, FP7 have been compared with the control experiments.
(I) AMD
[0041] 1. Efficacy of the Fusion Protein FP3 [0042] The control
group received photocoagulation therapy; whereas the test group
received FP3.
TABLE-US-00002 [0042] Efficacy Comparison Eye Significant In- Ratio
of Group numbers Efficacious Efficacious efficacious efficacious
Test 46 13 27 8 86.9% Control 40 4 19 14 57.5%
[0043] The evaluation criteria were according to the efficacy
assessment standards in the "Clinical research guidelines of AMD
treatment by the traditional Chinese medicines and novel medicines"
issued by the Chinese Department of Health. [0044] 1) Significant
efficacious: (i) significant symptom improvement of metamorphopsia
etc; (ii) central vision is improved by at least 4 lines; (iii)
minor shrinkage or obvious thinning of the central scotoma in the
central visual field; (iv) obvious absorption of the macular
exudation and hemorrhage, disappearance or obvious shrinkage of
neuroepithelial and pigment epithelial cell detachments; (v) no
progress or deceasing of retina angiogenesis assayed by fluorescein
angiography; substantial reduction of fluorescein leakage; minor
improvement of contrast sensitivity. [0045] Significant efficacious
is scored if meeting 4 of above conditions, [0046] 2) Efficacious:
(i) symptom improvement of metamorphopsia etc; (ii) central vision
is improved by at least 2 lines; (iii) thinning of the central
scotoma in the central visual field; (iv) partial absorption of the
macular exudation and hemorrhage, some shrinkage of neuroepithelial
and pigment epithelial cell detachments; (v) deceased fluorescein
leakage in retina angiography; minor improvement of contrast
sensitivity. Efficacious is scored if meeting 2-3 of the above
conditions. [0047] 3) Inefficacious: not meeting efficacious
criteria. [0048] The results have shown that the fusion protein FP3
exhibited significant efficacy on treating the AMD.
[0049] 2. Efficacy of FP7 [0050] The control group received
photocoagulation therapy; whereas the test group received FP7.
TABLE-US-00003 [0050] Efficacy Comparison Eye Significant In- Ratio
of Group numbers Efficacious Efficacious efficacious efficacious
Test 45 16 21 8 82.2% Control 42 6 19 17 59.5%
[0051] The evaluation criteria were the same as above. [0052] The
results have shown that the efficacy of the fusion protein FP7 on
the treatment of AMD is no worse or better than the
photocoagulation therapy.
(II) Diabetic Retinopathy
[0053] The control group received retina laser photocoagulation;
whereas the test group received FP3.
TABLE-US-00004 Efficacy Comparison Efficacy Group Number SE (%) E
(%) IE (%) W (%) Z P Test 107 43(40.2) 44(41.1) 20(18.7) 0(0.0)
-1.963 0.050 Control 105 31(29.5) 44(41.9) 30(28.6) 0(0.0)
TABLE-US-00005 Total Efficacy Comparison in Both Groups Efficacy
Group Number SE + E (%) IE + W (%) Z P Test 107 87 (81.3) 20 (18.7)
-1.690 0.091 Control 105 75 (71.4) 30 (28.6)
[0054] Efficacy assessment criteria were according to the efficacy
assessment standards of diabetic retinopathy in the "Clinical
research guidelines of the traditional Chinese medicines and novel
medicines". It includes 4 levels of efficacies: SE(significant
Efficacious), E(Efficacious), IE(inefficacious), and W(worse).
[0055] 1. Significant Efficacious (SE): [0056] 1) Visual acuity is
improved by at least 4 lines, or better than or equal to 1.0.
[0057] 2) Shown in ocular fundus examination, number of retina
microaneurysm decreases from (+++) to (++), or from (++) to (+), or
disappears from (+); retina hemorrhage decreases from (+++) to (+),
or disappears from (++); exudation decreases from (+++) to (++), or
from (++) to (+), or disappears from (+). At least two of
microaneurysm, hemorrhage, and exudation shall meet the
above-mentioned requirements. [0058] 3) Shown by Fundus fluorescein
angiography, average circulation time decreases significantly,
macular edema alleviates significantly, retina capillary
nonperfusion area decreases, blood vessel leakage reduces
obviously. At least two of above criteria shall be satisfied, each
with a level of improvement of at least 20%.
[0059] 2. Efficacious (E): [0060] 1) Visual acuity is improved by
at least 2 lines. [0061] 2) Shown in ocular fundus examination,
number of retina microaneurysm decreases from (+++) to (++), or
from (++) to (+), or disappears from (+); retina hemorrhage
decreases from (+++) to (+), or disappears from (++); exudation
decreases from (+++) to (++), or from (++) to (+), or disappears
from (+). At least one of microaneurysm, hemorrhage, and exudation
shall meet the above-mentioned requirements. [0062] 3) Shown by
fundus fluorescein angiography, average circulation time decreases,
macular edema alleviates, retinal capillary nonperfusion area
decreases, blood vessel leakage reduces obviously. At least two of
above criteria shall be satisfied, each with a level of improvement
of at least 10%.
[0063] 3. Inefficacious (IE): do not meet the requirements shown
above.
[0064] 4. Worse (W): [0065] 1) Visual acuity suffers loss of 2
lines or more. [0066] 2) Ocular fundus color photography shows
proliferative changes such as angiogenesis. [0067] 3) Shown by
fundus fluorescein angiography, retina capillary nonperfusion area
increases, macular edema worsens, and blood vessel leakage
increases. [0068] Note: [0069] Visual acuity examinations were
performed using the standard visual chart (scale of 1). When less
than 0.1, every 0.02 counts as one line. [0070] Fundus changes were
assessed according to the ophthalmoscope or color photography, and
microaneurysm was scored by the negatives of the fundus fluorescein
angiography. [0071] (+) designates not many or countable
microaneurysm, hemorrhage, or exudation; (++) designates a lot or
difficultly countable microaneurysm, hemorrhage, or exudation;
(+++) designates many, not countable microaneurysm, and significant
hemorrhage and exudation, and fused together. [0072] When assessing
efficacy, at least two of visual acuity, fundus changes, and
fluorescein angiography have to be taken into account.
[0073] The results have shown that the fusion protein FP3 had the
efficacy similar to that of the laser photocoagulation in the
treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
(III) Diabetic macular edema
[0074] The control group received laser photocoagulation; whereas
the sample group received FP3.
TABLE-US-00006 Efficacy Comparison Number Acuity change Group of
eyes SE (%) E (%) IE (%) .chi..sup.2 P March Test 42 19(45.24)
18(42.86) 5(11.90) 0.261 >0.05 Control 45 20(44.44) 18(40.00)
7(15.56) June Test 42 20(47.62) 18(42.86) 4(9.52%) 0.64 >0.05
Control 45 18(40.00) 21(46.67) 6(13.33)
TABLE-US-00007 Number Absorption of macular edema Group of eyes E
(%) IE (%) .chi..sup.2 P March Test 42 30(71.43) 12(28.57) 0.83
>0.05 Control 45 28(66.22) 17(37.78) June Test 42 32(76.19)
10(23.81) 1.43 >0.05 Control 45 29(64.44) 16(35.56)
[0075] The efficacy assessment criteria were according to the
"Clinical Research of Argon Laser Coagulation for Diabetic
Retinopathy" by Ren Lianer (Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998, 7 (2):
86-88).
[0076] The visual acuity assessment criteria were according to the
standard visual chart. Significant Efficacious (SE) was scored if
visual acuity improved at least 2 lines after treatment;
inefficacious (IE) was scored if visual acuity deteriorated at
least 2 lines; no visual acuity change (E) was scored otherwise. If
less than 0. 1 before treatment, change of .gtoreq..+-.0.02 was
assessed as visual acuity improvement or deterioration, otherwise
it was considered no change.
[0077] The degrees of reduction of macular edema were assessed
according to the fundus fluorescein angiography before or after the
laser photocoagulation. Efficacious (E) was scored if there was no
exudation in the macular area or the exudation had reduced at least
a quarter of the area; Inefficacious (IE) was scored if the
exudation had not reduced significantly or even increased.
[0078] The results have shown that intravitreal administrations of
the VEGF receptor fusion proteins were more efficacious than the
laser photocoagulation in both short period of time (3 months) or
relatively long period of time (6 months) after treatment in the
patients of macular edema.
(IV) Retinal Vein Occlusion
[0079] The control group received laser photocoagulation; whereas
the test group received FP3.
TABLE-US-00008 Efficacy Comparison Number Significant In- Ratio of
Group of eyes Efficacious Efficacious efficacious efficacious Test
71 25 33 13 81.69% Control 68 10 43 15 77.94%
[0080] Efficacy was assessed according to the "Evaluation of the
retinal vein therapy" by Zhang Huirong (Journal of Beijing Medical
College, 1982, 14: 118).
EXAMPLE 7
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP3 in Ophthalmic Lyophilized
Formulation
[0081] First prepared formulation buffer (including 10 mmol/L
histidine, 9% trehalose dehydrate, and 0.05% polysorbate 20, pH
6.0), then thawed appropriate drug substance of FP3, diluted it
with the formulation buffer to a required protein concentration (10
mg/mL), and thereby obtained the pharmaceutical composition. After
sterilizing filtration, the required amount of the pharmaceutical
composition was distributed into sterile vials (specification: 0.5
mL/2 mL) by pipettors or distributors, and the vials were applied
with sterile butyl rubber stoppers (half way tightening). The vials
were placed into a freeze drying lyophilizer, and then were freeze
dried by setting up appropriate freeze drying procedures (including
parameters of pre-chill, freezing, vacuum pump, time, temperature,
vacuum degree, etc.). After the completion of the freeze drying,
the stoppers were fully tightened, the vials were then taken out
from the freeze drying lyophilizer and sealed with aluminum caps.
After labeling, the vials can be placed in paper boxes and stored
under appropriate temperature.
EXAMPLE 8
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP3 in Solution for Eye
Application
[0082] First prepared formulation buffer (including 5 mmol/L
disodium phosphate, 5 mmol/L citric acid, 100 mmol/L sodium
chloride, 20% sucrose, and 0.1% polysorbate 20, pH6.0), then thawed
appropriate drug substance of FP3 and diluted it with the
formulation buffer to required protein concentration (10 mg/mL),
and thereby obtained the pharmaceutical composition. After
sterilizing filtration, the required amount of the pharmaceutical
composition was distributed into sterile vials (5 mL/20 mL) by
pipettors or distributors. The vials were applied with sterile
butyl rubber stoppers tightly, sealed with aluminum caps, labeled
on the vials, and stored in paper boxes under appropriate
temperature.
EXAMPLE 9
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP3 in Solution for Eye
Application
[0083] First prepared formulation buffer (including 10 mmol/L,
sodium succinate, 9% trehalose dehydrate, and 0.1% polysorbate 20,
pH 6.0), then thawed appropriate drug substance of FP3, diluted it
with the formulation buffer to the required protein concentration
(10 mg/mL), and thereby obtained the pharmaceutical composition.
After sterilizing filtration, the required amount (.ltoreq.100
.mu.L) of the pharmaceutical composition was distributed into
sterile vials (0.5 mL) by pipettors. The vials were applied with
sterile butyl rubber stoppers tightly, sealed with aluminum caps,
and labeled on the vials. The pharmaceutical composition was also
introduced into syringes (1 mL, with gray rubber piston and
27-gauge needle) in the required amount(.ltoreq.100 .mu.L), rubber
stoppers were applied at the pistons, and gray rubber covers and
hard plastic sheathes were in turn applied at the needles. Then,
the syringes were sealed with aluminum bags (in addition, a
threaded plastic plunge and a white flange joint were enclosed in a
separate aluminum bag). They were stored in paper boxes under
appropriate temperature.
EXAMPLE 10
Preparation of the Fusion protein FPI in Eye Formulation
[0084] Other than using the fusion protein FP1 to replace the
fusion protein FP3, all materials and methods are the same as in
Example 9.
EXAMPLE 11
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP2 in Eye Formulation
[0085] Other than using the fusion protein FP2 to replace the
fusion protein FP3, all materials and methods are the same as in
Example 9.
EXAMPLE 12
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP4 in Eye Formulation
[0086] Other than using the fusion protein FP4 to replace the
fusion protein FP3, all materials and methods are the same as in
Example 9.
EXAMPLE 13
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP5 in Eye Formulation
[0087] Other than using the fusion protein FP5 to replace the
fusion protein FP3, all materials and methods are the same as in
Example 9.
EXAMPLE 14
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP6 in Eye Formulation
[0088] Other than using the fusion protein FP6 to replace the
fusion protein FP3, all materials and methods are the same as in
Example 9.
EXAMPLE 15
Preparation of the Fusion Protein FP7 in Eye Formulation
[0089] Other than using the fusion protein FP7 to replace the
fusion protein FP3, all materials and methods are the same as in
Example 9.
Sequence CWU 1
1
91924DNAartificial sequenceCDS(1)..(924)polynucleotide encoding the
fusion protein comprising the domains of FLT-1 and KDR to
facilitate affinity to VEGF 1ggt aga cct ttc gta gag atg tac agt
gaa atc ccc gaa att ata cac 48Gly Arg Pro Phe Val Glu Met Tyr Ser
Glu Ile Pro Glu Ile Ile His1 5 10 15atg act gaa gga agg gag ctc gtc
att ccc tgc cgg gtt acg tca cct 96Met Thr Glu Gly Arg Glu Leu Val
Ile Pro Cys Arg Val Thr Ser Pro20 25 30aac atc act gtt act tta aaa
aag ttt cca ctt gac act ttg atc cct 144Asn Ile Thr Val Thr Leu Lys
Lys Phe Pro Leu Asp Thr Leu Ile Pro35 40 45gat gga aaa cgc ata atc
tgg gac agt aga aag ggc ttc atc ata tca 192Asp Gly Lys Arg Ile Ile
Trp Asp Ser Arg Lys Gly Phe Ile Ile Ser50 55 60aat gca acg tac aaa
gaa ata ggg ctt ctg acc tgt gaa gca aca gtc 240Asn Ala Thr Tyr Lys
Glu Ile Gly Leu Leu Thr Cys Glu Ala Thr Val65 70 75 80aat ggg cat
ttg tat aag aca aac tat ctc aca cat cga caa acc aat 288Asn Gly His
Leu Tyr Lys Thr Asn Tyr Leu Thr His Arg Gln Thr Asn85 90 95aca atc
ata gat gtg gtt ctg agt ccg tct cat gga att gaa cta tct 336Thr Ile
Ile Asp Val Val Leu Ser Pro Ser His Gly Ile Glu Leu Ser100 105
110gtt gga gaa aag ctt gtc tta aat tgt aca gca aga act gaa cta aat
384Val Gly Glu Lys Leu Val Leu Asn Cys Thr Ala Arg Thr Glu Leu
Asn115 120 125gtg ggg att gac ttc aac tgg gaa tac cct tct tcg aag
cat cag cat 432Val Gly Ile Asp Phe Asn Trp Glu Tyr Pro Ser Ser Lys
His Gln His130 135 140aag aaa ctt gta aac cga gac cta aaa acc cag
tct ggg agt gag atg 480Lys Lys Leu Val Asn Arg Asp Leu Lys Thr Gln
Ser Gly Ser Glu Met145 150 155 160aag aaa ttt ttg agc acc tta act
ata gat ggt gta acc cgg agt gac 528Lys Lys Phe Leu Ser Thr Leu Thr
Ile Asp Gly Val Thr Arg Ser Asp165 170 175caa gga ttg tac acc tgt
gca gca tcc agt ggg ctg atg acc aag aag 576Gln Gly Leu Tyr Thr Cys
Ala Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Met Thr Lys Lys180 185 190aac agc aca ttt
gtc agg gtc cat gaa aaa cct ttt gtt gct ttt gga 624Asn Ser Thr Phe
Val Arg Val His Glu Lys Pro Phe Val Ala Phe Gly195 200 205agt ggc
atg gaa tct ctg gtg gaa gcc acg gtg ggg gag cgt gtc aga 672Ser Gly
Met Glu Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Thr Val Gly Glu Arg Val Arg210 215
220atc cct gcg aag tac ctt ggt tac cca ccc cca gaa ata aaa tgg tat
720Ile Pro Ala Lys Tyr Leu Gly Tyr Pro Pro Pro Glu Ile Lys Trp
Tyr225 230 235 240aaa aat gga ata ccc ctt gag tcc aat cac aca att
aaa gcg ggg cat 768Lys Asn Gly Ile Pro Leu Glu Ser Asn His Thr Ile
Lys Ala Gly His245 250 255gta ctg acg att atg gaa gtg agt gaa aga
gac aca gga aat tac act 816Val Leu Thr Ile Met Glu Val Ser Glu Arg
Asp Thr Gly Asn Tyr Thr260 265 270gtc atc ctt acc aat ccc att tca
aag gag aag cag agc cat gtg gtc 864Val Ile Leu Thr Asn Pro Ile Ser
Lys Glu Lys Gln Ser His Val Val275 280 285tct ctg gtt gtg tat gtc
cca ccg gac aaa act cac aca tgc cca ctg 912Ser Leu Val Val Tyr Val
Pro Pro Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Leu290 295 300tgc cca gca cct
924Cys Pro Ala Pro3052308PRTartificial sequencefusion protein
comprising the domains of FLT-1 and KDR to facilitate affinity to
VEGF 2Gly Arg Pro Phe Val Glu Met Tyr Ser Glu Ile Pro Glu Ile Ile
His1 5 10 15Met Thr Glu Gly Arg Glu Leu Val Ile Pro Cys Arg Val Thr
Ser Pro20 25 30Asn Ile Thr Val Thr Leu Lys Lys Phe Pro Leu Asp Thr
Leu Ile Pro35 40 45Asp Gly Lys Arg Ile Ile Trp Asp Ser Arg Lys Gly
Phe Ile Ile Ser50 55 60Asn Ala Thr Tyr Lys Glu Ile Gly Leu Leu Thr
Cys Glu Ala Thr Val65 70 75 80Asn Gly His Leu Tyr Lys Thr Asn Tyr
Leu Thr His Arg Gln Thr Asn85 90 95Thr Ile Ile Asp Val Val Leu Ser
Pro Ser His Gly Ile Glu Leu Ser100 105 110Val Gly Glu Lys Leu Val
Leu Asn Cys Thr Ala Arg Thr Glu Leu Asn115 120 125Val Gly Ile Asp
Phe Asn Trp Glu Tyr Pro Ser Ser Lys His Gln His130 135 140Lys Lys
Leu Val Asn Arg Asp Leu Lys Thr Gln Ser Gly Ser Glu Met145 150 155
160Lys Lys Phe Leu Ser Thr Leu Thr Ile Asp Gly Val Thr Arg Ser
Asp165 170 175Gln Gly Leu Tyr Thr Cys Ala Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Met
Thr Lys Lys180 185 190Asn Ser Thr Phe Val Arg Val His Glu Lys Pro
Phe Val Ala Phe Gly195 200 205Ser Gly Met Glu Ser Leu Val Glu Ala
Thr Val Gly Glu Arg Val Arg210 215 220Ile Pro Ala Lys Tyr Leu Gly
Tyr Pro Pro Pro Glu Ile Lys Trp Tyr225 230 235 240Lys Asn Gly Ile
Pro Leu Glu Ser Asn His Thr Ile Lys Ala Gly His245 250 255Val Leu
Thr Ile Met Glu Val Ser Glu Arg Asp Thr Gly Asn Tyr Thr260 265
270Val Ile Leu Thr Asn Pro Ile Ser Lys Glu Lys Gln Ser His Val
Val275 280 285Ser Leu Val Val Tyr Val Pro Pro Asp Lys Thr His Thr
Cys Pro Leu290 295 300Cys Pro Ala Pro3053642DNAartificial
sequenceCDS(1)..(642)polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein
comprising the domains of FLT-1 and KDR to facilitate affinity to
VEGF 3ggt aga cct ttc gta gag atg tac agt gaa atc ccc gaa att ata
cac 48Gly Arg Pro Phe Val Glu Met Tyr Ser Glu Ile Pro Glu Ile Ile
His1 5 10 15atg act gaa gga agg gag ctc gtc att ccc tgc cgg gtt acg
tca cct 96Met Thr Glu Gly Arg Glu Leu Val Ile Pro Cys Arg Val Thr
Ser Pro20 25 30aac atc act gtt act tta aaa aag ttt cca ctt gac act
ttg atc cct 144Asn Ile Thr Val Thr Leu Lys Lys Phe Pro Leu Asp Thr
Leu Ile Pro35 40 45gat gga aaa cgc ata atc tgg gac agt aga aag ggc
ttc atc ata tca 192Asp Gly Lys Arg Ile Ile Trp Asp Ser Arg Lys Gly
Phe Ile Ile Ser50 55 60aat gca acg tac aaa gaa ata ggg ctt ctg acc
tgt gaa gca aca gtc 240Asn Ala Thr Tyr Lys Glu Ile Gly Leu Leu Thr
Cys Glu Ala Thr Val65 70 75 80aat ggg cat ttg tat aag aca aac tat
ctc aca cat cga caa acc aat 288Asn Gly His Leu Tyr Lys Thr Asn Tyr
Leu Thr His Arg Gln Thr Asn85 90 95aca atc ata gat gtg gtt ctg agt
ccg tct cat gga att gaa cta tct 336Thr Ile Ile Asp Val Val Leu Ser
Pro Ser His Gly Ile Glu Leu Ser100 105 110gtt gga gaa aag ctt gtc
tta aat tgt aca gca aga act gaa cta aat 384Val Gly Glu Lys Leu Val
Leu Asn Cys Thr Ala Arg Thr Glu Leu Asn115 120 125gtg ggg att gac
ttc aac tgg gaa tac cct tct tcg aag cat cag cat 432Val Gly Ile Asp
Phe Asn Trp Glu Tyr Pro Ser Ser Lys His Gln His130 135 140aag aaa
ctt gta aac cga gac cta aaa acc cag tct ggg agt gag atg 480Lys Lys
Leu Val Asn Arg Asp Leu Lys Thr Gln Ser Gly Ser Glu Met145 150 155
160aag aaa ttt ttg agc acc tta act ata gat ggt gta acc cgg agt gac
528Lys Lys Phe Leu Ser Thr Leu Thr Ile Asp Gly Val Thr Arg Ser
Asp165 170 175caa gga ttg tac acc tgt gca gca tcc agt ggg ctg atg
acc aag aag 576Gln Gly Leu Tyr Thr Cys Ala Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Met
Thr Lys Lys180 185 190aac agc aca ttt gtc agg gtc cat gaa aaa gac
aaa act cac aca tgc 624Asn Ser Thr Phe Val Arg Val His Glu Lys Asp
Lys Thr His Thr Cys195 200 205cca ctg tgc cca gca cct 642Pro Leu
Cys Pro Ala Pro2104214PRTartificial sequencefusion protein
comprising the domains of FLT-1 and KDR to facilitate affinity to
VEGF 4Gly Arg Pro Phe Val Glu Met Tyr Ser Glu Ile Pro Glu Ile Ile
His1 5 10 15Met Thr Glu Gly Arg Glu Leu Val Ile Pro Cys Arg Val Thr
Ser Pro20 25 30Asn Ile Thr Val Thr Leu Lys Lys Phe Pro Leu Asp Thr
Leu Ile Pro35 40 45Asp Gly Lys Arg Ile Ile Trp Asp Ser Arg Lys Gly
Phe Ile Ile Ser50 55 60Asn Ala Thr Tyr Lys Glu Ile Gly Leu Leu Thr
Cys Glu Ala Thr Val65 70 75 80Asn Gly His Leu Tyr Lys Thr Asn Tyr
Leu Thr His Arg Gln Thr Asn85 90 95Thr Ile Ile Asp Val Val Leu Ser
Pro Ser His Gly Ile Glu Leu Ser100 105 110Val Gly Glu Lys Leu Val
Leu Asn Cys Thr Ala Arg Thr Glu Leu Asn115 120 125Val Gly Ile Asp
Phe Asn Trp Glu Tyr Pro Ser Ser Lys His Gln His130 135 140Lys Lys
Leu Val Asn Arg Asp Leu Lys Thr Gln Ser Gly Ser Glu Met145 150 155
160Lys Lys Phe Leu Ser Thr Leu Thr Ile Asp Gly Val Thr Arg Ser
Asp165 170 175Gln Gly Leu Tyr Thr Cys Ala Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Met
Thr Lys Lys180 185 190Asn Ser Thr Phe Val Arg Val His Glu Lys Asp
Lys Thr His Thr Cys195 200 205Pro Leu Cys Pro Ala
Pro210523DNAartificial sequenceOligonucleotide primer FLT-1 D2(F)
5cctttcgtag agatgtacag tga 23623DNAartificial
sequenceOligonucleotide primer FLT-1D2(R) 6tatgattgta ttggtttgtc
cat 23723DNAartificial sequenceOligonucleotide primer KDR D3(F)
7gatgtggttc tgagtccgtc tca 23822DNAartificial
sequenceOligonucleotide primer KDR D3-4(R) 8cggtgggaca tacacaacca
ga 22959DNAartificial sequenceOligonucleotide primer KDR D3-hing(R)
9aggtgctggg cacagtgggc atgtgtgagt tttgtctttt tcatggaccc tgacaaatg
59
* * * * *